ACDP Parliamentary newsletter - 22 August 2003
Here is the latest news from Parliament:
1. Full details of arms report still not clear
2. Public hearings on land restitution to be held
3. loveLife contract likely to be renewed
4. Delay in release of farm murder report cause for concern
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1. Full details of arms report still not clear
ACDP MP Cheryllyn Dudley
Attending the Standing Committee on Public Accounts hearing with Auditor-General Shauket Fakie at Parliament on Wednesday, ACDP MP Cheryllyn Dudley said that the AG appeared to have reasonably credible answers to questions raised around alleged "heavy editing" of reports.
"Whether or not new evidence will come to the fore remains to be seen, but the ACDP is still unconvinced as to whether or not we have got to the crux of the matter". Dudley said
The ACDP is committed to using our best efforts and all avenues available to uncover the truth in the public interest, making sure criminality is pursued vigorously and unethical deals are exposed.
"While new and pending investigations are likely to uncover other issues which need to surface, the ACDP believes SCOPA must follow-up on these investigations monitoring progress through regular reports."
Responding to questions from Dudley about the arms deal loan agreement contracts, Fakie replied that the Public Protector had scrutinised the process and found the contract reasonably sound. All terms and conditions of these contracts are found in chapter 13 of the final report.
Replying to a question about South Africa's purchase of helicopter engines from France at a much higher price than other offers, Fakie said that the department of defence had made this decision based on their requirements and details of this were included in the report in chapter 10.
Dudley's final question referring to allegations around British Aerospace, was not dealt with as this information was brought to light after the final report was drafted, according to Fakie.
The ACDP acknowledges that in some respects the AG responded satisfactorily, however many unanswered questions still remain and the matter cannot yet be laid to rest.
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2. Public hearings on land restitution to be held
The portfolio committee on agricultural and land affairs will be holding public hearings on the Restitution of Land RIghts Amendment Bill on August 25 and 26 from 09:00-19:00 at Parliament. Those interested in attending are welcome.
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3. loveLife contract likely to be renewed
The national health department's contract with loveLife is set to be renewed at the end of 2003 for a further two years. Responding to questions by Cheryllyn Dudley, an official in the health department said that the department's HIV education programme contract is with the Kaiser Foundation, which selects and funds loveLife as the implementing agency for the programme.
The health department currently supplements the Kaiser Foundation's funding of R75 million to loveLife with an additional R25 million, but is hoping that at the end of the contract in 2005, the groundwork will have been laid and the money can be used for other projects.
Additional funding is available for NGOs that are currently implementing HIV/Aids programmes, and applications can be submitted for consideration by provincial funding committees, who will recommend applications to the National Funding Advisory Committee. For more information on the procedure, please contact:
National Coordinator
NGO Coordination Unit
Chief Directorate: HIV, Aids, STIs and TB
National Department of Health
Private Bag x828
Pretoria
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4. Delay in release of farm murder report cause for concern
The release of the long-awaited report on the motives for farm attacks has been delayed by the ministry of safety and security. News reports this week stated that and Security Minister Charles Nqakula had not been satisfied with the findings and had referred the report back to the committee. However members of the independent committee that compiled the report said that the report was not sent back, but that the nine provincial safety and security MECs would first meet with the committe to ask questions and receive further information.
According to a news report in Beeld, the great majority of farm attacks are motivated by the desire to rob or steal and although some of the violence was motivated by racial hatred, very few of the attacks were of a political nature.
One of the independent committee's case studies conducted between 1998 and 2001 found in 32 of 45 attacks there was no rational reason for murdering the victims. The committee found there was a misconception that nothing was stolen during attacks. When the attackers left empty-handed it was because they were surprised and forced to flee.
ACDP spokesperson on agriculture and land affairs Cheryllyn Dudley has criticised the ministry's interference, saying that this cast doubt over the report's credibility.
"If the minister is not satisfied with certain aspects of the report, he should just say so, engaging with the committee once the report was released. What reason could he have for withholding what is supposed to be an independent report? This sort of intereference only undermines the report's credibility," Dudley said.
"This is a great pity as this report has an enormous impact on the farming community and investor confidence. This is another severe blow to democracy in South Africa," Dudley said.
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